Archive for the ‘Gynecomastia Surgery’ Category

Body Builder Patient Satisfaction Survey

Dr. Blau has recently completed a patient satisfaction survey among 100 Professional Body Builder patients. The results are in with 99% of patients reporting they were satisfied with their surgical results. 98% of patients reported an inconspicuous incision that expert judges did not notice any scar during bodybuilder competitions.

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Dr Blau is Speaking at The Aesthetic Meeting (ASAPS)

We are very proud to announce that Dr. Mordcai Blau will be speaking at the 50th Anniversary Aesthetic Meeting for the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) in San Diego on May 1st at the San Diego Convention Center. Dr. Blau will be featured on a panel entitled “Male Body Countouring: Men are from Venus; Women are from Mars,” at 8:15 am on May 1st alongside esteemed colleagues Douglas Steinbrech, MD; W. Grant Stevens, MD; and Simeon Wall, Jr., MD.

For more information or to register for the Aesthetic Meeting, please visit their website at: http://www.surgery.org/

Dr. Blau will be speaking on Male Body Contouring at the San Diego Convention Center at 8:15 am on May 1st.

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New Book by Dr. Blau – Masculinity Defined: Gynecomastia and the Search for the Perfect Pecs

masculinity-defined-gynecomastia-book-coverDr. Blau is pleased to announce the release of his book, Masculinity Defined: Gynecomastia and the Search for the Perfect Pecs. This book was written for the millions of men who need reliable information about a subject that is rarely discussed: male breasts (gynecomastia) and male body image in a changing era.

Many men with excessive breast tissue, or gynecomastia, suffer from low self-esteem due to their appearance. Gynecomastia correction represents a unique and growing field of plastic surgery, and this book puts a human face on stories that often go untold. This is the first and only gynecomastia book from a true expert: a plastic surgeon who performs the procedures himself.

Plastic surgeons have made tremendous strides in gynecomastia correction over the past twenty years. In fact, the number of male breast reduction procedures has increased by 20% during this time, more than any other plastic surgery procedure. This change happened because of new surgical techniques that produce better, more consistent, and permanent results with almost no recurrence and minimal, inconspicuous incisions.

While the average plastic surgeon performs only a few gynecomastia surgeries each year, in the last three years alone I have performed over 1000 gynecomastia procedures on patients from all over the world, accounting for 2% of all gynecomastia surgery performed in the United States. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average Plastic surgeon performed just 9 gynecomastia surgeries during this same period. I continue to use my vast experience to teach other plastic surgeons to utilize my techniques. I am the lead author of articles on gynecomastia surgery published in the premier academic plastic surgery journals, PSNews and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

This book is the culmination of over two decades of experience treating men with gynecomastia. It is for the man who suffers from gynecomastia and wants to understand his options, and also for general audiences interested in a society that increasingly scrutinizes men’s bodies as it does women’s.

Available now at Amazon.com

Kindle Edition: $9.99
Hardcover: $38.99

A must read for anyone considering gynecomastia surgery…
–Dr. Robert Bernard, MD, Past President, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

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A study of Dr. Blau’s patient results featured in PRS Journal (official journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons)

Correction of Gynecomastia in Body Builders and Patients with Good Physique

by Mordcai Blau, MD and Ron Hazani, MD

PRS-CoverGood results with surgery for gynecomastia in bodybuilders

In men with ‘good physique,’ steroids are common cause of breast enlargement, reports Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

January 28, 2015 – With attention to some unique patient characteristics, breast reduction surgery achieves good aesthetic outcomes in bodybuilders with gynecomastia–enlargement of the male breast, according to a report in the February issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

ASPS Member Surgeon Mordcai Blau, MD, a plastic surgeon in private practice in White Plains, N.Y., reviews his extensive experience with gynecomastia surgery in bodybuilders. He highlights key patient characteristics and technical issues, including the causal role of anabolic steroids and hormone supplements. Dr. Blau’s coauthor was Ron Hazani, MD, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Click here for the article. (ASPS Journal Website) or view a PDF.

Focus on Gynecomastia Surgery in Bodybuilders

An expert in male breast reduction, Dr. Blau has performed gynecomastia surgery in nearly 1,600 bodybuilders and other patients with “good physique.” The new report focuses on 1,073 such patients, followed up for one to five years after surgery.

The men ranged in age from 18 to 51 years; 15 percent were competitive bodybuilders. All were free of hormonal or other diseases that can cause gynecomastia. In some cases, gynecomastia developing in adolescence–usually a temporary condition–became permanent after the patient started using steroids or hormone-containing supplements.

For several reasons, gynecomastia surgery in bodybuilders calls for a different approach, Dr. Blau believes. In contrast to other groups of gynecomastia patients, who tend to be overweight or obese, bodybuilders usually don’t need removal of excess fat or skin.

However, they do need special attention to prevent bleeding and scarring. Bleeding risk is higher because of increased blood flow in the highly developed chest muscles. Steroids and unregulated supplements including protein shakes, vitamins, and fish oils may also increase bleeding risk.

Emphasis on Complete Removal of Breast Gland Tissue

Bodybuilders are “perfectionists with regard to their physique and chest aesthetics; hence their level of expectations is higher,” Dr. Blau writes. He performs the procedure through a one-inch incision, made on the underside of the areola surrounding the nipple.

In outlining his surgical technique, Dr. Blau highlights the need for complete removal of all breast gland tissue. After surgery, pathology reports usually show excessive development (hypertrophy) of the gland tissue, although a few patients had precancerous cells.

Most patients are “extremely satisfied” with their surgical results, Dr. Blau reports. He also notes that the “vast majority” of patients continued to use anabolic steroids. Because the gland was completely removed, there were no problems with recurrent gynecomastia.

Complications were uncommon and generally minor. There was a six percent rate of hematomas–blood collections causing pain, swelling, and bruising. Dr. Blau notes this problem became less common after he began providing stricter instructions regarding preoperative and postoperative care: stopping all use of steroids and supplements before surgery, and resuming exercise gradually after surgery.

Plastic surgeons may see increased interest in gynecomastia surgery among bodybuilders and other men with good physique, Dr. Blau believes. He suggests that surgeons performing gynecomastia surgery start with simpler cases, before proceeding to the more-challenging demands presented by bodybuilders.

While many men are affected by gynecomastia, most don’t seek treatment, according to this month’s introductory video by Rod J. Rohrich, MD, Editor-in-Chief, on the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery website. The February issue also reports on a new technique for men seeking breast reduction after massive weight loss. “In these two papers, we see how the surgical treatment of Gynecomastia can improve both aesthetics and patients’ quality of life,” Dr. Rohrich comments. “Plastic surgeons are constantly studying and refining these surgical techniques to create the safest, most effective procedure possible.”

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Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, part of Wolters Kluwer Health.

Click here to read “Correction of Gynecomastia in Body Builders and Patients with Good Physique.”

Article: “Correction of Gynecomastia in Body Builders and Patients with Good Physique” (doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000000887)

About Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

For more than 60 years, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® has been the one consistently excellent reference for every specialist who uses plastic surgery techniques or works in conjunction with a plastic surgeon. The official journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® brings subscribers up-to-the-minute reports on the latest techniques and follow-up for all areas of plastic and reconstructive surgery, including breast reconstruction, experimental studies, maxillofacial reconstruction, hand and microsurgery, burn repair, and cosmetic surgery, as well as news on medico-legal issues.

About ASPS

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the world’s largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons. Representing more than 7,000 Member Surgeons, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 94 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. ASPS advances quality care to plastic surgery patients by encouraging high standards of training, ethics, physician practice and research in plastic surgery. You can learn more and visit the American Society of Plastic Surgeons at http://www.plasticsurgery.org or http://www.facebook.com/PlasticSurgeryASPS and http://www.twitter.com/ASPS_news.

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Gynecomastia in Adolescents

Gynecomastia, simply put, is an overdevelopment of male breast tissue. Typically gynecomastia affects newborns, adolescents, and older adult males, though the reasons for the development of the excess tissue are often different.

In pre-teen and teen boys, gynecomastia is usually caused by hormonal changes associated with puberty. It isn’t uncommon among males of this age. However, for most males going through puberty the gynecomastia usually disappears after one year. For some teens, the breast tissue doesn’t decrease after the first year or even the second year of puberty, as it does for most.

The distinction should be when the gynecomastia is large. In this case it will usually remain and can cause psychological and social problems. When this occurs, it may be an indication for early age surgery. Children as young as twelve years old have undergone gynecomastia correction surgery. It should always be done in consultation with the parents and surgeon, and sometimes a psychologist, social worker and a teacher. At this early age it is important to consult a gynecomastia expert who must be a board certified plastic surgeon.

 Doctor

Image Courtesy of ShutterStock 

Visit Your Child’s Doctor

Adolescent gynecomastia may not be a serious problem. Yet in some cases, it is caused by an estrogen-producing tumor, which may be problematic if left unchecked. Typically, this only occurs in pre-teen boys that haven’t reached puberty yet, but may happen as your child enters their teens.

It is beneficial to visit your child’s doctor to talk about the tissue, as estrogen-producing tumors do sometimes require treatment.

 

Certain Medications Can Cause Gynecomastia

Many of the medications that produce gynecomastia are not ones you would be giving to a pre-teen or teen male. However, there are certain drugs you should know about that increase breast tissue and actually cause gynecomastia.

  • Oral steroids, such as Prednisone, are used for health problems like asthma. Short-term steroid use prescribed by a doctor does not cause gynecomastia.
  • Medicines used to treat ulcers can sometimes cause gynecomastia when used for long periods of time.
  • Epilepsy medications, such as Dilantin, have been linked to gynecomastia in pre-teen and teen boys.

 

Symptoms of Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is usually discovered when a parent or child notices swelling in the breast area. The area has been described as having a rubbery or very firm feel, yet the child does not feel discomfort.

In many cases, adolescent boys don’t notice the onset of gynecomastia or don’t mention it to parents until they feel embarrassed or uncomfortable with their bodies.

 

Diagnosing Gynecomastia

A gynecomastia diagnosis from a doctor is usually quick. It requires a physical examination and a look at the child’s medical history. The doctor may focus on certain medications as the cause.

If the breast tissue is unusually large, is focused only on one side, or is tender or very hard, a biopsy may be necessary to determine if there could be a tumor or breast cancer.

 

Treating Gynecomastia

Unless your child is taking a specific medication known to cause gynecomastia, not much can be done. Gynecomastia typically goes away on its own, so doctors do not generally advise surgical intervention – at least when a child is in their early teens.

In a small number of cases, gynecomastia that is caused by a lack of testosterone and an increase of estrogen is able to be treated with hormone therapy.

Medication

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

Gynecomastia often feels like a serious problem to an adolescent male. After all, they may feel that they look different than their peers or that their bodies are not developing the right way.

While is it important to have gynecomastia evaluated by a doctor, it is also important to let your child know that it may be a normal part of their growth. Almost all adolescent males do grow out of it – within two years at the most.

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My Scheduled Surgery with Dr. Mordcai Blau

I am probably a somewhat unusual patient for Dr. Blau as the field of expertise for which he has become renowned is gynecomastia. I am a transgender female to male patient seeking what is commonly known as ‘top surgery’ i.e. removal of breast tissue and reconstruction of chest.

As a bodybuilder I was introduced to him by friends who had received surgery at his Westchester office and had extremely positive outcomes. I went for my initial consultation about two years ago but because I was not in a position to have the surgery done at that time I returned again two months ago to have another evaluation.

As was the case on my previous visit, I found the office staff to be extremely friendly and the waiting room comfortable and the surroundings homely rather than intimidating.

On meeting Dr. Blau he examined me and evaluated me for surgery explaining what he would do and what results he hoped he would achieve. It turns out that I have a concave in my chest which he felt could be filled in by taking fat from my lower back via liposuction during the procedure and this would create a much better result. I am sure many surgeons who practice in this field would not have been so concerned with that. I found this extremely reassuring and exciting, knowing that I would finally have the physique I wanted making my transition complete.

My surgery was initially scheduled for October 21st but due to the fact that I thought I may have a Urinary Tract Infection, which surfaced three days before surgery, Dr. Blau was unwilling to take a risk of operating in case the infection spread.

It turned out not to be a UTI but nevertheless his caution showed that he took my surgery and my general health and outcome very seriously which again reflects his professionalism.

My surgery is now scheduled for November 18 and I will update with details of my procedure and results as soon as I have recovered sufficiently.

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Dr. Blau Wins The White Plains Award!

The White Plains Award Program has chosen Dr. Mordcai Blau for the 2013 White Plains Awards in the Cosmetic Surgeons classification.

2013 Award

For most companies, this recognition is a result of dedication and efforts as well as the work of others in the organization that have helped build the business. Dr. Blau’s team is now a part of an exclusive group of small businesses that have achieved this selection.

Each year, across the greater White Plains area, the White Plains Award Program chooses only the best local businesses. They focus on companies that have demonstrated their ability to use various marketing methods to grow their business in spite of difficult economic times. The companies chosen exemplify the best of small business; often leading through customer service and community involvement.

We are excited for this achievement!

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The Relationship Between Male Breast Cancer and Gynecomastia

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women. But did you know that women aren’t the only ones affected by this disease? Believe it or not, men are also susceptible to breast cancer. While this occurs in men far less than in women, it is still a cause for concern.  According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 2,240 cases of breast cancer in men will be diagnosed in 2013. About 410 men will die this year from breast cancer. And, though it is less likely (approximately 100 times less likely) for men to develop breast cancer than women, with statistics like this, it is still a cause for concern.

In order to help you better understand this disease in men, it is important to understand the causes and why it happens.

Image courtesy of ShutterStock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image courtesy of ShutterStock

What is male breast cancer?

Cancer refers to any malignant tumor, or the development of a group of abnormal cells, in any part of the body. Cancer becomes harmful to the body when these abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and form lumps or tumors. Tumors can grow and interfere with the digestive, nervous, and circulatory systems and they can release hormones that alter body function. These cells can develop in the breast tissue of a male. The development of this disease is rare in men and is quite worrisome. The collection of abnormal cells can grow quite large and take over surrounding tissues. It can also metastasize, or spread, into other parts of the body. Many men don’t know they are susceptible and in turn aren’t getting screened by a doctor the way women have been taught to do.

What causes male breast cancer?

Just like in women, we are not exactly certain what causes the development of breast cancer in men. It could be linked to genetics or environmental conditions, and recent studies are indicating that it could also be linked to gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia refers to an increased production in the amount of tissue in a man’s breast. Men naturally have breast tissue, but since their breasts are not used in the same manner as women’s, they normally don’t produce large amounts of this tissue. However, in the case of gynecomastia or pseudogynecomastia, there are instances when there is an increase in the development of this tissue.

When there is an excessive amount of breast tissue, it is believed that there is a greater chance of the development of abnormal cells, which can lead to the development of breast cancer.

Signs of Gynecomastia

Typically, breast tissue in men is too small to be felt or seen. However, in cases of gynecomastia, there is usually the feeling of a growth under or around the nipple and areola. In more extreme cases, men can actually develop small breasts.

Link between Gynecomastia and Male Breast Cancer

The development of gynecomastia is linked to an excessive production of estrogen. Extra breast tissue and an increased amount of estrogen in the male body is thought to increase the chance of breast cancer developing in men. While the studies on this connection are still in the beginning stages, evidence does suggest a link. More needs to be learned and studies are continuously being conducted in order to determine the exact correlation of these two conditions.

While breast cancer occurs less in men than in women, it is still important for both genders to check themselves regularly.

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Talk Of The Town Award Winner!!

Ratings are calculated base on consumer- review websites and blogs, social network, business rating services and other award information to determine the top companies across the country. Only those high ranking businesses with a 4-5 star rating win the Talk of the Town News Customer Satisfaction Award.

Talk Town

 

http://www.gynecomastia-md.com/
http://www.cosmetic-md.com/gynecomastia/
http://www.gynecomastiausa.com
Tel. Number:  914-428-4700
E-Mail: cosmeticdr@gmail.com

 

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Dr. Blau, Gynecomastia New York Receives Best of White Plains Award!

This is a notification recognizing that Dr. Blau Gynecomastia New York has been selected for the 2012

Award

Best of White Plains Awards in the Cosmetic Surgeon category by the White Plains Award Program committee.

“Our selection of your company is a reflection of the hard work of not only yourself, but many people that have supported your business and contributed to the subsequent success of your organization”.

The White Plains Award Program hereby grants Dr. Blau Gynecomastia New York exclusive display this press release and the digital award image in any media formats and through any media channel.

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